11. Lumos

Claire had mixed feelings about Christmas this year. Even if she hadn't any family anymore, she never felt alone until now. Back home in Cokeworth, she always spent Christmas Eve with her friends. In Butterton she met some nice people with whom she had a good time having drinks in the local pub but they weren't yet so close to her to spend the holidays together. The witch – it was still very strange to refer to herself that way – knew she will be alone on December 24th, and also the following days. She liked Christmas and she had a wish deep in her heart that Snape will visit her but she knew well that he was very busy. In the last two months she saw him only on a few occasions. His visits were short and it was only for tutoring her in magic, they didn't talk about other things.

Claire was sitting in the bookstore – she was glad that the customers were smart enough not to leave their Christmas shopping for the last minute. Suddenly, the phone rang.

- Greenwald's Book Corner, this is Claire. How may I help you?

- Hello, Claire. This is Severus Snape.

- Oh, hello! How are you?

- I'm good.

- It's so good to hear from you. Can I help you?

- I was thinking to visit you this evening and maybe spend the Christmas in the cottage, if the – ah – circumstances will be optimal. I just wanted to ask if it wouldn't be a nuisance for you.

- No, not at all, quite the opposite!

- Very well. I will be arriving around 7 if it is alright with you.

- Perfect. I'll be making us dinner.

- You don't have to. I can ask the house-elves –

- I insist. Maybe they can help tomorrow with the lunch but tonight I will cook for you. And myself. Of course.

- Alright. See you later then.

- See you, Severus!

Claire got very excited, then she realized that she doesn't have enough food at home. She went to the back office, where Mr. Greenwald sat at his desk.

'Excuse me, Mr. Greenwald, can I disturb you for a minute?'

'Sure, Claire. How can I help you?'

'I just got a phone call from a friend of mine. He is visiting me and staying at my house for Christmas. I don't have enough food for both of us so I was wondering if I can leave work today a bit earlier to go shopping.'

Mr. Greenwald smiled knowingly at her.

'Is he your boyfriend?'

Claire blushed.

'No. Well, at least, not yet.'

'I am very satisfied with your work, Claire and you deserve to have a nice holiday. Grab your things and I don't want to see you until the 27th!'

'Thank you very much, Mr. Greenwald!', Claire replied with a wide smile. 'Merry Christmas!'

'Merry Christmas, Claire!'

~0~

Christmas Eve in the stores was madness but Claire managed to buy everything she wanted in an hour. The house was clean and festive thanks to a small but pretty Christmas tree so all she needed to do was cooking. At 7PM, the witch stepped out from her bedroom in a not too elegant but still nice dark blue dress when she heard a knock on the door.

'Hello, Severus!' she greeted the wizard with a wide smile.

'Good evening,' he replied and took off his traveling cloak. He was dressed in his usual black frock coat, black pants and dragon hide boots. He had a dark brown leather bag with him as well, containing personal items he needed for the next few days.

'The food is ready. I made mushroom soup, roast with potato and salad, and trifle. Not the very traditional Christmas menu but I think you will like it.'

'I'm sure I will,' he replied with a very faint smile. He pulled out a bottle from his bag. 'I brought wine.'

'Thank you! You can bring it in the dining room and sit down at the table. Food is ready.'

Dinner was nice. Snape had to admit that Claire was an excellent cook. At first, they didn't talk too much but as the dinner went on, they also got more relaxed. After dinner, they relocated to the living room. It was nicely decorated with a Christmas tree and other ornaments. The fire crackled happily in the fire place and oddly, it smelled like mulled wine. Snape furrowed his eyebrows and looked at Claire.

'It is a spell,' the witch smiled. 'I've found it in a book you gave me. I had no idea there are so many spells for decorating the house for Christmas.'

'I never used one,' Severus drawled nursing his wine.

'I would have been surprised if you had,' the girl smiled at him.

'Why? You think I can't be jolly for the holidays?' he asked in a very serious tone.

Claire laughed out loud.

'No, I can't imagine that.'

Severus smiled at her with a real smile and for several minutes, they watched the flames in the fireplace in silence.

'I'm really glad that you came, Severus', Claire said and looked at him. He turned to her. 'I didn't want to spend Christmas alone.'

'I knew that. You used to spend it with your friends in Cokeworth.'

'You remembered?'

He nodded and she smiled.

'There's one thing that bothers me: I forgot to buy you a present,' her voice was sad.

'You're being ridiculous, Claire.'

'But –'

'You cooked me dinner, you are willing to spend Christmas with me – that is more than enough.'

They didn't even notice that they moved closer to each other on the couch. Now there was only a few inch gap between their faces. Claire tried to look in his eyes but Severus was watching her mouth. It made the witch flush.

'Of course I'm willing to spend Christmas with you. You are my friend, Severus. My closest friend,' Claire said softly.

'Only a friend?' asked Severus in a husky voice Claire never heard.

'Yes,' she whispered. 'Unless you want it to be more…'

It was the sign the wizard was waiting for. With a swift move he closed the gap and kissed Claire fiercely on the lips. The woman didn't hesitate, opened her mouth and licked Severus' lips. In a second, their tongues started to duel, and the man pulled Claire closer to him. She buried her hands in his hair, his hands roamed on her back. But it wasn't enough for him: Severus pulled her in his lap and they were making out on the couch like teenagers.

After several minutes, Severus pulled back, trying to catch his breath.

'I think, we should continue this upstairs,' Claire said to him, panting.

'Are you sure?' the wizard asked softly.

'I've never been so sure in anything.'

Claire led Severus in her bedroom like the house would have been hers. She stopped beside the bed, turned around and kissed Severus. They didn't hesitate shedding their clothes, stopping the kissing only if it was necessary. Claire crawled on the bed and lied down. Severus towered over her kissing her like there's no tomorrow. The witch pulled him as close as she could, she wanted to feel his body on every inch of her skin. She waited for this so long.

'We should have done this earlier,' the wizard whispered in her ear before planting kisses on her throat.

'Yes,' Claire replied in a husky voice. Severus was now kissing and kneading her breasts and she couldn't help but moan. The man kissed all the way down on her torso while continuing to massage her breasts. Claire made a note in her head that Severus preferred tits. For a few minutes, it was her last coherent thought because Severus crawled between her legs and with a long lick on her cunt, he sent her to Heaven. The witch was now in agony: she was panting like after running a marathon, her body was hot, and she moaned and whimpered while Severus sucked her clit and worked on her g-spot with a finger.

'Let it go, Claire,' he murmured at this was the end for her. Always being an admirer of his voice, it sent Claire over the edge and screamed out lout.

'Severus, that was… That was…' she wasn't able to form the words. The wizard murmured something over Claire's belly, then crawled back up and kissed her.

'You're welcome,' he whispered with a smile.

'Did you put a spell on my stomach?'

'Contraception Charm.'

'Oh, how clever' Claire giggled, reached down and took his penis in her hand. It was rock hard. Gently, she directed in her hole and pushed up her hips. Severus hissed.

'Merlin, you feel so good. So tight,' he groaned.

'Then move, I can't wait any longer,' Claire replied and pulled him closer, circling her legs around his back.

At first, the dark wizard moved slowly, enjoying every inch of her but he couldn't continue like that for long. Eventually, he started fucking her hard and Claire didn't mind it at all. She moaned constantly urging Severus moving faster. He moved a finger on Claire's clit, he wanted her to cum again before releasing himself. It did take only a few seconds for the woman to shudder from orgasm when Severus came in her with a low, guttural groan. He collapsed on the bed and turned on his back. Claire put a hand on his chest, he took it but didn't move further. They were exhausted, panting, their bodies slick with sweat.

'Well, that was one bloody Christmas present,' he said, his voice still hoarse.

'It was a present for myself, too,' she answered and he laughed out loud. He turned to her and kissed gently. For the first time in 20 years, Severus Snape was able to sleep through the night.

All I want for Christmas is reviews.

Happy Holidays!